Tabitha Clayton was unable to attend her graduation because she was hospitalized, so GHS Children's Hospital staff brought graduation to her.
Elizabeth LaFleur/STAFF

GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for Tabitha Clayton on Monday, June 11, 2018. Clayton, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg.(Photo: LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF)

Clayton, now 18, was born with congenital brain abnormalities that affect her ability to walk, speak and do many things most teenagers get to experience. She even missed her high school graduation ceremony in May because of a lengthy hospitalization.

"To know that she can finally do a graduation and get to do a normal activity that other kids get to do, it's just, you just don't know how it feels," Tina Clayton, Tabitha's mother, said. "She didn't get a prom or any of that kind of stuff."

Tina Clayton said her daughter has been in and out of the hospital all her life, but the past two years have been especially difficult. Her latest hospital stay began more than a month ago.

Tabitha Clayton participated in her own private graduation ceremony Monday on the fifth floor of GHS Children's Hospital.

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GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for Tabitha Clayton on Monday, June 11, 2018. Clayton, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Rachel Clayton shares a moment with her granddaughter, Tabitha Clayton, as GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for her on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for Tabitha Clayton on Monday, June 11, 2018. Clayton, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Tina Clayton shares a moment with her daughter, Tabitha, before a special graduation ceremony at GHS Children's Hospital on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Tina and Thomas Clayton react as GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for their daughter, Tabitha, on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Annette Henderson feeds cake to Tabitha Clayton as GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for her on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Tabitha Clayton's dad, Thomas Clayton, holds her hand following a graduation ceremony held by GHS Children's Hospital on Monday, June 11, 2018. Clayton, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Tina Clayton shares a moment with her daughter, Tabitha, before a special graduation ceremony at GHS Children's Hospital on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Tina and Thomas Clayton push their daughter, Tabitha, into a graduation ceremony held at GHS Children's Hospital on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for Tabitha Clayton on Monday, June 11, 2018. Clayton, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

Rachel Clayton shares a moment with her granddaughter, Tabitha Clayton, as GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for her on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg. LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF

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Hospital staff decorated a playroom with balloons and cake. A sign congratulating Clayton, signed by staff and friends, was on display.

Tabitha Clayton, who uses a wheelchair to get around, arrived to her celebration wearing a green monogrammed graduation gown and matching cap covered with pink rhinestones.

"Pomp and Circumstance" played as her longtime physician, Dr. Arun Singh, escorted her into the room. The hospital's newest therapy dog, "King," accompanied them wearing a matching graduation cap.

Teshia Hair, principal of Spartanburg's McCarthy Teszler, a school for students with disabilities, presented Clayton with a diploma as friends and family clapped.

"The fact that she was even able to go to school itself was an accomplishment," Tina Clayton said. "It means the world to us for her to be able to do her graduation because she was in the hospital, and I was like, 'Great, she doesn't even get to do that."

Tina and Thomas Clayton react as GHS Children's Hospital holds a graduation ceremony for their daughter, Tabitha, on Monday, June 11, 2018. Tabitha, who was born with congenital brain abnormalities and has been in the hospital for the past month, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony at McCarthy Teszler School in Spartanburg.(Photo: LAUREN PETRACCA\STAFF)

Tina and Thomas Clayton posed for photos beside their daughter after she received her diploma.

"You did it," the mother said, proudly smiling at the daughter she wasn't sure would ever get to celebrate this moment.